OCTOBER 22, 2026
Appellate Court Improperly Reversed Trial Court’s Rejection of Proposed Class-Action Lawsuit
A Lorain County trial court did not make an error by considering all the requirements for class certification when it rejected a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging the city of Lorain was charging unlawful rates and fees for water and sewer services, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled today.
OCTOBER 21, 2026
Woman Defying Emergency Mental Health Commitment Can Be Charged With Obstruction
A Hamilton County woman who resisted police attempts to carry out an involuntary mental health commitment can be charged with obstruction of official business even if she did not commit an illegal act, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled today.
OCTOBER 20, 2026
Village Can Reject Data Center Construction Application After Moratorium Imposed
The village of Lordstown does not have to consider a proposed data center’s request for a site-plan review that was submitted days before the village imposed a moratorium on data centers, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled today.
OCTOBER 15, 2026
Featured Decision: Court Upholds Prison Sentence for Former Teacher Convicted of Sex Offenses
The latest Featured Decision video features the Supreme Court of Ohio decision to uphold the nearly 30-year prison sentence imposed on a former high-school teacher who groomed two 17-year-old students to engage in sexual activity with him and threatened their expulsion if they reported him.
Saving Statute Allowed Investor to File Lawsuit for Third Time
The Ohio saving statute does not limit how many times a lawsuit may be refiled, provided the statute’s requirements are satisfied, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled today.
OCTOBER 14, 2026
Court Affirms Offender’s Conviction Because Preindictment Delay Did Not Harm His Defense
The Supreme Court of Ohio today upheld the involuntary manslaughter conviction of a Clermont County man who was prosecuted 16 years after the death of a woman, who ultimately died from injuries she suffered as an infant. The Supreme Court found Scott Wilson could not prove the State’s delay in indicting him harmed his ability to defend himself after he was charged.
OCTOBER 13, 2026
Indictment After Guilty Plea Accepted Did Not Violate Double Jeopardy
A Knox County man’s constitutional rights were not violated when a trial judge accepted his guilty plea but declined to sentence him after the prosecution discovered that the charge had been brought using a procedure not authorized by Ohio law, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled today.
OCTOBER 2, 2026
Stark County Family Court Magistrate Transitions to Judgeship
A magistrate from the Stark County Common Pleas Court rises into a new role this week after Judge Rosemarie A. Hall retired on Sept. 30.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy Delivers Annual State of the Judiciary
Constitution Day address highlights the enduring importance of an independent judiciary
Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy of the Supreme Court of Ohio delivered her annual State of the Judiciary address to the Ohio Judicial Conference, offering reflections on the role of an independent judiciary as the state's highest-ranking judicial officer.
OCTOBER 16, 2026
Legal Legacy: How an Orange Vest Became a Constitutional Issue
On a November day in 1994, Joas Bontrager and his brother, members of the Old Order Amish faith, were hunting deer on family farmland during gun season. Ohio law requires gun hunters to wear bright orange clothing for public safety reasons. However, Bontrager chose not to wear the orange vest as it conflicted with their religious beliefs, which included avoiding brightly colored clothing. Bontrager was cited for violating the regulation, launching a case that questioned whether the state could mandate the wearing of hunter-orange clothing if it conflicts with someone’s religious principles.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2026
From the Locker Room to the Bench: Justices With Athletic Roots
Before they donned robes, some Supreme Court of Ohio justices first suited up as college athletes.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2026
Legal Legacy: Ohio Court Decides Landmark Case on School Sports Eligibility
Forty-five years ago today, on Sept. 16, 1981, the First District Court of Appeals decided a landmark case in Ohio concerning issues of education and equal protection. Menke v. Ohio High School Athletic Association considered whether students are eligible to play sports in a state where the student does not reside. The court grappled with the issue of whether playing school sports is part of a student’s right to an education.
OCTOBER 22, 2026
Updated Online Catalog Makes Legal Research Easier
Since 1987, the Law Library at the Supreme Court of Ohio has produced an electronic catalog of their materials and resources. Last month, the library updated the page for people to easily view its interactive online catalog.
OCTOBER 21, 2026
Seats of Justice: Medina County
A recent ceremony celebrating 15 new graduates of a specialized docket in Franklin County Municipal Court showcased their stories and the crucial support from the court treatment teams.
Human Trafficking Survivors Honored as Graduates of Court Specialized Docket
A recent ceremony celebrating 15 new graduates of a specialized docket in Franklin County Municipal Court showcased their stories and the crucial support from the court treatment teams.
OCTOBER 20, 2026
Lawyers’ Fund Helps Clients Recover Losses Caused by Dishonest Attorneys
The organization’s staff is available to speak about services provided to public
Clients trust their attorneys to safeguard their money, property, and legal interests. And the vast majority of attorneys carry out those duties with integrity and professionalism. However, in the rare instance that an Ohio attorney acts dishonestly and causes a financial loss, help is available.
OCTOBER 19, 2026
83 Attorneys Sanctioned for CLE Noncompliance
The Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education has sanctioned 83 attorneys for failing to comply with continuing legal education (CLE) requirements.
Strengthening Ohio’s Indigent Defense System
A November event at the Supreme Court of Ohio will delve into successes and future strategies
For individuals accused of a crime who can’t afford an attorney, Ohio courts are tasked with appointing counsel to represent them. Representation can be provided by public defenders or by appointed private attorneys. Courts, counties, and appointed counsel share the responsibility for ensuring that the state’s assigned counsel system functions effectively while facing ongoing challenges such as funding, support, and attorney availability.
OCTOBER 16, 2026
July Bar Exam Results From Four Testing Locations Released
For the first time, the Supreme Court of Ohio offered the Ohio Bar Examination in four locations across the state this summer, including Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Toledo. Results from the July bar exam were announced today.
OCTOBER 14, 2026
Attorneys Can Earn Four Hours of CLE Serving as Poll Workers This November
With statewide, congressional, and local offices up for grabs, attorneys can help ensure Election Day goes smoothly. Attorneys can join the ranks of poll workers by serving in their communities across the state.
OCTOBER 22, 2026
‘The people make the calls’: Court rulings defend communities against developers: Cleveland.com
For once, the hosts said, moneyed developers trying to push past local opposition encountered an Ohio institution willing to tell them no: the state Supreme Court.
Ohio Supreme Court rules Lordstown can pause data center review: Cleveland.com
An Ohio village can put a data center project on hold even after a developer has submitted preliminary plans, the state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.